David Moyes has opened up on exactly why his West Ham United side are struggling so badly defensively this season.
West Ham are actually in decent shape this season, despite calls for David Moyes to be sacked. We’re sitting in seventh spot in the Premier League table, and still have a good chance to qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals.
It was all change at the London Stadium in the summer, as Declan Rice left the Hammers to join Arsenal in a £105 million deal.
The 25-year-old was exceptional for West Ham for four seasons before he left to join the Gunners. He seems to be playing in a more advanced position for them now, and he recently admitted that he is still learning the nuances of his new role at the Emirates.
It’s hard to suggest anything other than Dec now being one of the best central midfielders in world football…at both ends of the pitch.
During Rice’s time at the London Stadium, there was definitely more emphasis on the defensive side of his game. So is the England international’s absence the reason why we’ve shipped so many goals this season?
David Moyes blames one man for West Ham United’s defensive struggles
The Hammers boss addressed reporters on Friday, ahead of our Premier League clash with Burnley this afternoon.
And Moyes responded when asked to explain why his side have been so frail defensively this season, as quoted by the Evening Standard:
“We’ve hugely missed Declan Rice. I think Declan covered up a lot of things, was able to tidy things up and help us. He’s probably the best player in England at the moment I would say. If you lose the best player in England out of your team you’re going to be affected one way or the other, doesn’t matter how good your signings have been and how well they’ve done. His miss, we’ll feel it.”
West Ham have conceded 47 goals in 27 Premier League games so far this season – only seven teams have let in more.
It’s a fair point, but I would argue that Edson Alvarez is far more defensive-minded than Rice, and the Mexican actually provides better cover for our back four.
I believe that the real reasons for our struggles at the back this season have been the painful regression of Kurt Zouma and the woeful form of Nayef Aguerd.
David Moyes surely doesn’t think all West Ham United’s defensive problems are because Rice left. If he does, we’re in big trouble.
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